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Chinese 'n' Pakeha, love 'n' loss and comedy 'n' drama all get served up in this hot 'n' tasty new treat from Christchurch writer Carl Nixon.

Two actors play a multitude of roles as a love story unfolds in the most kiwi of establishments: the local fish 'n' chip shop.

Featuring:

Cassie Baker and Robbie Hunt

Interview with Robbie Hunt:

Click here to listen to an interview with Robbie Hunt on RDU98.5FM

Reviews:

HOME TRUTHS FUNNY AND EASY TO SWALLOW
- THE PRESS

"Shark and taties has never tasted better.

Indeed, The Forge’s latest offering give a whole new meaning to Bertolt Brecht’s idea of culinary theatre. It is called Two Fish ‘n’ a Scoop and you won’t need any extra sauce.

There is more than enough in this play and this production to satisfy the most jaded theatre palate. To be sure, the fare on offer is so delicious you may want to come back for a second helping.

Two Fish ‘n’ a Scoop is a down-home title for a play which reveals some disquieting truths. While it might seem a Christchurch play down to its toes, its exploration of racism has universal resonance and its theme seems particularly apt, given the recent Paul Henry Fiasco.

Inside Chan’s fish and chip shop we see New Zealand in microcosm through the eyes of 13 disparate and sometimes desperate characters. New Zealand boy meets Eurasian girl across the counter and the path off interracial love is by no means smooth. But through playwright Carl Nixon’s eyes it is funny, wickedly funny. You just can’t stop laughing.

All 13 characters are played by two actors who deliver fine performances. Robbie Hunt shows his quality by transforming into several different people in the opening minutes, by rotating on the spot at high speed or changing seats. He never misses a beat.

Cassie Backer, already giving a good account of herself as the shop owners’ daughter, brilliantly transforms into her Chinese father in a very special theatre moment. Gregory Cooper had his hands full directing this play, but he pulls it off marvellously. The production is an absolute gem."

REVIEW BY RHYS BROOKBANKS, OFFICIAL FORGE STUDENT REVIEWER

"Be Mine Tonight, that classic Kiwi tune by The Dudes’, blasts out as we enter the Forge at the Court Theatre. It could be an ad for the Nature’s Best CDs, and in Two Fish ‘n’ a Scoop, Carl Nixon has written one of the best Kiwi plays I’ve seen lately, and like Asian cigarettes, it’s full of spark and left me wanting more.

If there’s one place in New Zealand which eliminates race, class, and ethnicity, it’s surely the good old chip shop. And in the first five minutes of the play, we watch as Robbie Hunt skilfully jumps from typical Kiwi bloke Jason, to a four-year-old nose-picker, a comical Maori (“half-a scoop, bro”), and a very posh, camp man (“half-a dozen oysters, please”).

But how many of us count the people behind the counter as Kiwis as well?

Under the direction of Greg Cooper, Robbie Hunt and Cassie Baker bring a host of memorable characters to life. The couple work very well together on-stage, both as co-workers-in-love Jason and Rhea, and as Rhea’s parents: an overprotective Chinese father, and his doughnut-aficionado Pakeha wife.

Once again for a Forge play, the set was impressive, David Thornley providing a stark, black and white backdrop which helped to put the play’s message in perspective.

As fish ‘n’ chip shop owner Mr Chan says, “Kiwis want to hear how nice we are, and not about racism.”

It’s a brave move to expose the worst aspects of our nature to a room full of Kiwis, but Nixon is quickly gaining a name for himself as one of the best playwrights in this country, and in Two Fish ‘n’ a Scoop, it’s easy to see why."

BARRY SOUTHAM, PRESTO MAGAZINE

"Cross culture love always has the potential to be fraught, and this play certainly demonstrates that tendency, as well as having a hard look at the touchy subject of racisim in New Zealand.

Set in that Kiwi consumer icon, a fish and chip shop, a half Chinese, half white young woman meets our national male archetype when he comes to work for her father in her father's shop. And of course a relationship developes in spite of the father's threat to slice off a sensitive piece of anatomy should this happen.

The most impressive aspect of this show is the multiple role playing by the two young actors Cassie Baker and Robbie Hunt. These includes mum and dad, loutish mates, and a number of customers. No easy task, but the transitions are done effortlessly in spite of two of the transitions requiring opposite gender performance. Top work.

Humour is used to good effect, even in some of the developing darker moments, and this allows its own comment on the negative attitudes towards Asians sitting both below and above our consciousness in this country. The script steers close to didactic in one speech but mainly avoids this trap. The use of a lyrical monologue at the beginning and end does not sit that well, but overall this another fine effort from one of our emerging playwrights.

The pace is frenetic at times, in keeping with the Friday night customer rush and director Gregory Cooper uses the small stage to good advantage. Set designer David Thornley has produced a most serviceable and visually effective set.

The whole show provides a most enthralling evening and is another good choice for the Forge's 2010 programme. Well worth a visit."

MARVELLOUS SHOWCASE OF SKILL AND INVENTION
- READ THE FULL THEATREVIEW HERE

"For Cassie Baker and Robbie Hunt, the production is a marvellous showcase of skill and invention. Buoyed along by Nixon’s colourful script, they power through the emotional turmoil of events without sacrificing sensitivity or subtlety.

If the sharp edge of the original story is blunted in the sheer enjoyment of their performances, it is safe to say that the audience will not be in a mood for regrets."

Tickets:

Adults $32, Seniors/Supporters $27, Students $22.
30-Under Club: $15 (Mon-Wed only). Find out more.
Group bookings of 10 or more people $27. To make a group booking phone the Box Office on 963 0870 or email bookings@courttheatre.org.nz.

To download a media release, click here.

For more information phone the Box Office on 963-0870.

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